§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the expansion of the range of services provided by the primary care sector. [83565]
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§ Mr. Hutton"Delivering the NHS Plan" confirmed our commitment to substantial increases in health service capacity. Our aim is, however, not simply to rely on expanding hospital capacity but to use the extra investment provided by the April 2002 budget to modernise the way services are provided to bring services closer to patients, expand the choices available to patients and make better use of the skills and capacity of the primary care work force.
The Department is therefore taking forward a programme to deliver a wider range of services in primary and community settings, using general practitioners and nurses with specialist skills, working from improved and modernised premises. This is expected to deliver for example, millions more outpatient appointments taking place in the community rather than in hospital.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the lines of accountability for primary care trust boards are. [88525]
§ Mr. HuttonPrimary care trusts are national health service bodies established by the Secretary of State. They are performance managed by strategic health authorities and through them are accountable to the Secretary of State.